The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1887-04-22
A GIRL BULL FIGHTER,
Expert Work in the Riny by n Mexican Girl-A
Wonderful Thrust.

Indianapolis Journal.
Just prior to the taking effect of the
decree against bull fighting, l was for
tunate enough to witness contest in
which one OF the most skillful, daring
and expert OF the professional fighters
of Mexico took n leading part. This
performer was young woman, whose
equal has probably never appeared i'll
the plaza de Toros.' In this her
farewell exhibition, Senorita Herman
dez advertised for the widest and
fiercest bulls the country could pro-
duce, and agreed to fight them while
wearing stills. The novelty of u
young girl engaging in a bull
fight, handicapped by having
stills fastened to her feet, was sufli-
cient to attract vast crowd, and on
the day fixed for the event fully five
thousand persons found places to sit
or stand in the large ampitheater.
The animals provided for the occa-
sion we're small, active and wholly I'M
tanned, each having his horns trimmed
and polished until the points were as
bright and almost as sharpas needles.
Never was more expert work done IN
this cruel sport than was coolly per-
formed by the Mexican girl on that
day.
AS the bull, mad with rage, would
make his furious charge, she would
stand until he had approached with
an distance of about three feet. when
suddenly springing to one side,
She would, as the animal rush
ed furiously by, with one hand slap
him in the face with the red cloak
with which his anger had first
been aroused, while with the other
hand she dextrously thrust into his
meek gaudy barbed "banderilla, "
causing him to roar with pain and
rage. Charge after charge was made
by the maddened brute, only to be
eluded by the activegirl, while the bull
met the same treatment as before.
The little senorita played with him,
plagued and tortured him as cat
would amouse, until the animal, bleed
ing and sore and worn out with fatigue
and pain, gave up the contest and
would fight no more. He had met his
conquer or, and was taken fromthe ring.
In the next contest thefair Castilian
was under an advertised obligation,
while yet wearing the stills, to kill the
bull with a sword cely more than
two feet in length. This was to be
done by the toreadora at the time
the animal was making the charge, the
fatal thrust to be given while she was
directly in front OF and fairly facing
the bull.
The animal selected for this contest
was @ beautiful specimen OF his race.
Black as coal, agile as a cat, savage
and wild, he was no sooner within the
arena than he was ready tor the bat
tie. After he had been permitted
to make q charge or two to warm
him to his work, the Governor, who
presided on the occasion, gave a sig
nal and the bugle sounded the death
call" The senorita, with stills OF ono
foot in height securely fastened to he1
limbs, received the short sword, salut
ed the Governor, and, tuning to hel
enemy, gave shout OF defiance and
waved her scarlet cloak to arouse his
anger.
At this time the distance separating
the antagonists was almost two hun,
dred feet. Toro, quivering with excite
ment and paving the earthin his rage
waited for no second invitation
With flashing eyes and head lowered
to the ground, he started at full
speed for the subject of his hate. The
brave girl waited until the beast was
within twenty feet, when bracing her
self firmly, she held her sword at
shoulder height ready for his coming
When within about four feet she
threw her body suddenly for.
ward, gave q quick thrust with the
sword, and, without waiting to see
the effect Of the blow, swung quickly
around and again saluted the govern.
or. In q twinkling of an eye she turn.
ed to face the bull, and as she did SC
he dropped dead, so close to her that,
without MOVING from her position, she
placed one foot upon the neck OF hel
now helpless enemy.
The sword directed by the strong
arm OF the self-possessed girl, had sew.
cred the spinal cord, and death was
instantaneous and probably painless
1t was perilous feat, skillfu!lv and
fearlessly performed, and the slightest
nervousness on the part of the per
former would probably have resulted
in her death. The great audience il,
recognition OF the skill OF the brave
toreadora, rose to it's feet, and foi
several moments there was u shower
of gold and silver coins falling around
| the victorious pirl.